[May 6] DC: Beyond Reform: Health Concerns and Disparities Among America’s Fastest Growing Populations

Health reform has passed, but the battle to improve America’s health is far from over. A key question remains: How can health disparities be eliminated in the U.S.? This May 6th briefing will address disparities in health – particularly those facing Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders – in light of new findings in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Policymakers, experts and an audience Q&A will explore stark disparities documented by the Journal and how to alleviate them. Hosted by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), speakers include Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health for the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Dr. John Ruffin, Director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and Dr. Ed Sondik, PhD, Director of the National Center for Health Statistics. Two panels, Shine the Light: A Research Agenda to Reveal Hidden Needs, and Addressing Root Causes: Paths to Achieving Health Equity will feature both journal authors and prominent policymakers.

This first-ever issue of a major public health journal devoted to this population releases an array of new research that highlight alarming disparities: Among one Pacific Islander-American group, 20 percent of births are pre-term. Deaths from breast cancer are four times higher among some Asian-born women in the U.S. than among their U.S.-born counterparts. Rates of vaccine-preventable liver and cervical cancer among the Hmong in California are three to four times higher than those of other Asian American groups.

Among the topics to be discussed at the briefing are:

• How can health care reform improve the access and quality of care available to minority and vulnerable populations?
• How does culturally appropriate care affect the quality of health services?
• What impact does immigration status have on rates of disease and death?

To reserve a place for this event, please see:
http://burnesscommunications.com/event/APIAHF-health-concerns-and-disparities

APIAHF will provide live Twitter updates from the event at #APIAHealth.